While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has explored darker themes in series like Ironheart and Werewolf by Night, the supernatural frontier largely remains uncharted, awaiting the arrival of Ghost Rider in 2028. Yet, a compelling preview of this mystical realm has already been delivered through the acclaimed video game, Marvel's Midnight Suns, showcasing how Marvel's spectral characters can seamlessly integrate into the mainstream narrative.

Crafted by Firaxis Games, known for their work on XCOM, Marvel's Midnight Suns, released in 2022, transcends traditional genre classifications. Initially anticipated as a Marvel-themed XCOM game, it revealed itself to be a surprisingly intricate role-playing game. The game fosters camaraderie and strategic team-building, reminiscent of the depth found in titles like Fire Emblem, all while delivering engaging tactical missions. Though it didn't achieve record-breaking sales, the game was a critical success, demonstrating the viability of Marvel's supernatural elements within a widely accessible format. It not only presented fresh interpretations of arcane Marvel figures such as Ghost Rider, Blade, Magik, and Nico Minoru but also illustrated their harmonious collaboration with iconic heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, and Spider-Man. Engaging with Marvel's Midnight Suns offers an exciting glimpse into the potential trajectory of the MCU, particularly if it embraces more unsettling themes post-Secret Wars.

The narrative of Marvel's Midnight Suns echoes its comic book origins, depicting a team united against a supernatural menace. They confront Lilith, the demonic mother, in her quest to awaken Chthon, an ancient, Lovecraftian deity connected to the Darkhold, a mystical tome familiar to viewers of WandaVision and Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Players assume the role of The Hunter, Lilith's offspring, who is roused and must collaborate with the Midnight Suns to defeat their mother. The game features exploration of The Abbey, the Midnight Suns' headquarters, where players can uncover extensive lore about The Hunter and Lilith, and forge bonds with the diverse heroes who join the team. While romantic relationships are absent, traversing The Abbey provides a thorough introduction to this segment of the Marvel universe, sparking anticipation for characters like Blade and Ghost Rider to make their official MCU debuts.

The game's other core component is its turn-based strategy combat. Although its compact levels and card-based hero abilities drew some initial debate upon release, its systems possess remarkable depth, empowering players as they command these superheroes. Significantly, Midnight Suns convincingly portrays Ghost Rider and Blade's seamless integration and teamwork with more conventional Marvel characters. This harmonious dynamic suggests that if such collaborations can thrive in the game without resorting to pure horror, they could equally succeed within a traditional MCU blockbuster. This further strengthens the argument for more supernatural films featuring characters like Ghost Rider. Should these projects materialize, playing this game serves as an excellent preparatory experience, offering a comprehensive introduction to the heroes and villains inhabiting this mystical side of the Marvel universe.

There are some nuances to consider, however. For instance, the game predominantly features the Robbie Reyes iteration of Ghost Rider. It is improbable that Ryan Gosling will portray this version, given Reyes' Hispanic heritage and prior appearance in Agents of Shield. Nonetheless, Johnny Blaze plays a smaller but significant non-playable role in Midnight Suns, and it is more likely that Gosling will embody this version of the character. The prospect of Gosling's Ghost Rider eventually teaming up with Mahershala Ali's Blade in a dedicated Midnight Suns film is exciting, even if Marvel has yet to confirm such plans. Even if the MCU's Ghost Rider film focuses primarily on the character's traditional adversaries, the eventual inclusion of figures like Lilith and Chthon in future movies seems plausible. To avoid being uninformed when these characters emerge, playing Midnight Suns is highly recommended. Though it may not have generated a massive initial impact, it stands as an engaging strategy game with an even more compelling storyline. This game unequivocally demonstrates that Marvel's mystical domain holds immense untapped potential for adaptation. The anticipation for the Ghost Rider film is palpable, and revisiting Midnight Suns offers a perfect diversion until its release. Marvel's Midnight Suns is available on PS4, PS5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Currently, it is available for purchase at a discounted price of $10.49 on consoles, making it an opportune time to acquire it.